Storm halts Relay for Life

"People really enjoy this event - this is the fifth year that we've done it so we're hoping to reach a goal of$50,000 in five years so I think people now look for it", said Dr. Bonnie Jones, chairperson of the Bark for Life. So many of our friends and family members have faced the challenges of dealing with this awful disease, Relay For Life empowers our community to fight back. American Legion Riders entered the Hoisington Activity Center to present colors and stand by as the Rev. Don Paden delivered the opening prayer.

The founder of Relay for Life, Gordon Flatt, who also battled with cancer, got the idea for this fundraising event when he walked and ran around a track in Washington for 24 hours to raise money for cancer. Hoisington Mayor Clayton Williamson delivered the proclamation designating Friday, June 9, as the 2017 Relay for Life, and a choir made up of survivors gathered and sang the National Anthem.

This year's event will be an overnight gathering to celebrate, and honor those who have faced cancer while fundraising for the American Cancer Society's mission. At 10 p.m., it was time to light luminaries. Team Acrish remembers the late rabbi of Temple Beth Eloheim, Sol Acrish, who lost his battle to the insidious disease a year ago. The walk continued until midnight.